Stokes, Margaret 1839-1918

STOKES, CROFT

Posted By: Tom Baack-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/4/2014 at 20:58:44

Le Mars Semi Weekly Sentinel Tuesday, May 7, 1918

MRS STOKES IS DEAD
WAS A PIONEER SETTLER STANTON TOWNSHIP

Mrs. Thomas Stokes, one of the pioneer women of Plymouth county, died at her home, 505 Eagle street, on Saturday night, following an illness of some weeks, chiefly due to old age. Mrs. Stokes was nearly eighty years of age. Her maiden name was Margaret Croft and she was born near Pittsburg, Pa, on February 6, 1839, where she grew to womanhood and was married to Thomas Stokes in January, 1859. They came to Iowa after their marriage and settled in Jackson county and in May 1870 came to Plymouth county and homesteaded in Stanton township, where they lived until 1904, when they came to Le Mars. Mr. Stokes died in June 1910. Eleven children were born to their union. Two have preceded the mother in death, Emma, who died in 1880 and John, who died in 1910. Her surviving children are, A. T. Stokes, Mrs. J. V. Harker, Mrs. George Harker, Mrs. Chris Mikkelson, William J. Stokes, Mrs. James Watson, Mrs. Albert Werth, Charles and Lewis Stokes, Wm. Stokes lives at Hemet, Cal., and Mrs. Mikkelson at, Bozeman, Mont. The others live in Le Mars and vicinity. She also leaves a large number of grand children.

The funeral services were held yesterday at the late home. Rev. H. V. Comin, of the Presbyterian church officiating, and was largely attended by old friends and neighbors.

Mrs. Stokes was one of the noble pioneer women of the west, who helped to develop the prairie and build up the social life of the community. In pioneer days the Stokes homestead was famed for its hospitality and was a gathering place for the early residents and was the scene or many a delightful social time.

Mrs. Stokes was an ideal homemaker, devoted to her husband and family. She scattered sunshine in her path through life, was kind, generous a friend to everybody and greeted the world with a smiling face. In her last illness she was uncomplaining and grateful to those who soothed her last days on earth.